Read more: Click here to read the original, longer version of this story
AS PASSIONATE protests go, this was one of the most carnival-like. But while the atmosphere in London on 9 October was light-hearted, the message to the UK鈥檚 Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne was serious: stop the cuts in government science funding.
The 2000 scientists were protesting against the planned 20 per cent cuts which Martin Rees, president of the Royal Society, has said would be a 鈥済ame over鈥� scenario and cause irreversible destruction.
Advertisement
鈥淭he planned 20 per cent cuts would be a 鈥榞ame over鈥� scenario and cause irreversible destruction鈥�
The Science is Vital rally, part of a campaign started by University College London researcher Jennifer Rohn, saw former member of parliament and Liberal Democrat science spokesman Evan Harris, backed by a quartet, singing 鈥淗ey! Osborne, we wanna know if you鈥檒l fund our work鈥� to the tune of Bruce Channel鈥檚 Hey! Baby.
Other speakers included Imran Khan, the director of the Campaign for Science and Engineering, and former head of the Medical Research Council, Colin Blakemore. 鈥淲e should be asking ourselves why it is that the US, Germany, France, Sweden and Singapore are increasing their investment in science now,鈥� said Blakemore. 鈥淭he answer is obvious 鈥� because they see that science is the key to innovation. It鈥檚 therefore the key to the economy for the future. To cut science now would really be disastrous.鈥�